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The Sun Life Building: The Secret Hiding Place of the British Crown Jewels
Montreal, QC - EvilGentleman - Monday, March 12th, 2007 : goo
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Some buildings have quite the history attached to them. Such is the case with the historic Sun Life Building in Montreal, which dominated the Montreal skyline from the 1930's to the 1960's but is now dwarfed by its neighbours.
Some of the history is available here Sun Life Building
and here www.sunlifebuilding-montreal.com/history/. Most notable about the building's history is how its vaults were used to store the wealth of many European nations during World War II, particularly the United Kingdom. Long believed to be among the items stored in the cavernous vaults of the third sub-basement were the British Crown Jewels. Such a risky move was only undertaken due to fears of Nazi Germany taking over England, or perhaps the fear of the Tower of London being bombed by the Luftwaffe.
The photo above is from a tourism plaque erected by the City of Montreal. I like the photo with the dirigible.
The plaque above commemorates the founding of the Sun Life Insurance Company in Montreal during the 1800's. Unfortunately, Sun Life chose to leave Montreal for Toronto in 1978, due to the passing of Quebec's draconian language laws, as well as the financial insecurity caused by the fear of Quebec separation.
One of the cornerstones of the building, related to a 1923 expansion. Mary Queen of the World Cathedral lies in the background.
The street rarely sees the sun anymore, and the view of the Sun Life Building is obscured by the new buildings next door, but it is still quite a sight.
I love the columns on the tower sides.
Wow, 200 articles already? Time sure flies.
This article has been viewed 2782 times in the last 41 months
joey: 13th Mar 2007 - 04:52 GMT
now that's a building. un-like the blue phallus building in the background. solid, massive, and made of bricks.
CE: 14th Mar 2007 - 00:55 GMT
I actually like the blue skyscraper in the background. It's quite an interesting building compared with most of the other skyscrapers in the city. I'll have to take some pictures of it since I bike by it every day. The Emporis page has some interesting info and lots of pictures www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=le1000delagauchetiere-montreal-canada. Apparently it's the tallest in the city but I think it's tied with a couple others due to the height restriction. It's nowhere near as good as the Sun Life Building in this post though.
jack: i like that old building next to the newer ones.
Frank S. Besner: 31st Mar 2007 - 12:28 GMT
The "Plallus" is called "Le 100 De La Gauchetière". Unlike it's rather unimaginative name (after the civic address it holds), that building is amazinly designed. the little cuppolas at the base of the tower are beautiful and despite it's plane-jane looks in the day, that building turns straight up Gotham City, in the night time, especially if it's foggy. I'll try to post pics of that up for you all...
CE: 1st Apr 2007 - 00:31 GMT
I practically live in the shadow of that building down in Griffintown and I will second its awesomeness at night. I have some pictures of it on a foggy night that I'll post once I get an internet connection again.
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